God’s Grace > My Sinናሙና

Grace is a Choice.

What is grace? In part, it involves choosing acts of  kindness and forgiveness.

Kindness focuses on the needs of others first and  is tender, selfless, compassionate and polite. Kindness is never, harsh, envious, rude or self-centered. 

Forgiveness  is not holding bad feelings and seeking revenge when someone has harmed, or wronged you.

The God-given ability to extend kindness and forgiveness toward others when they don't deserve it is rarely seen in today’s culture. However, those traits will become more natural and evident in your life as your understanding of God’s grace grows.

Ephesians 4:32 calls us to, “Be kind  to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you..” 

And in Colossians 3:13, God’s word clearly speaks on the importance of forgiveness, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” 

Once you have forgiven someone you can no longer be angry with that person. Christ tells you to forgive in the way in which He has forgiven you. He asks you to truly forgive others with all of your heart. When you don’t want to forgive someone who has wronged you, remember Christ’s sacrifice for you. He literally gave up his life when He died on the cross. 

Jesus loved you so much, he chose not only to forgive you, but He also showed you great kindness. When He took the punishment of death for the wrong you have ever done or will ever do in the future, Jesus chose kindness.   

One night a mother went upstairs to say prayers with her two young sons before they went to bed.  She noticed that one of them had colored a picture on the bedroom wall.  Both boys were old enough to know better.  She asked, "Boys, who drew on the wall?"  Chad, the younger brother, said, "Mommy, I did."  Knowing that Chad  would surely be punished for the wrongdoing, Clint (the older brother) said, "Mom, I know Chad did it,  but He is so little, would you spank me instead?"  Even Clint knew that all bad behavior required discipline.  He loved his little brother so much that He wanted to take Chad's punishment.  Jesus did for you what Clint did for Chad. Jesus chose to take the punishment you deserved.

Grace involves both kindness and forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15 states, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

The Lord sees when you choose to truly forgive others, and He will bless you. When you choose to genuinely extend kindness and forgiveness, you can walk in  peace knowing that your life is in God’s hands. He is in control of the outcome, no matter what other people have done to you. You serve a God of grace. He is your Father who showers you with loving kindness and forgiveness, and He calls you to live by His example.

Choose to forgive! Choose to be kind! Take a moment to listen to the song 'Forgiveness' by Matthew West. It’s a great reminder of how God shows us to love as He loves. 

Think about it:

Think about it:

1. Who do you choose to forgive today?
2. What acts of kindness will you take to forgive that person? 
3. Remember, the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to give kindness and forgiveness to others. Granting grace to people in your life is your choice. Aren't you thankful that God chose to give you grace? God’s Grace > My Sin!